JustChillinLPA
Member
I am just about to buy the components to build a 4 COB light for a 2'x3' area. Full grow, seed to harvest.
I am planning on using 4 Luminus CXM22 3500s near the 4 corners, mounted on 140x70 round pin heatsinks using 2020 aluminum T-Slot for the frame.
The COBs use 51.5 forward voltage with a max of 2.2A.
I am trying to decide if it is better to use 2 drivers (HLB-185H-C1400B) or just 1 (HLB-320H-C1400B). I believe the output achieved will be the same, but is one way more efficient as far as power consumption at the wall?
I was initially thinking that with 2 drivers I could turn 1 off (2 COBs) during the first 3 weeks or so and then turn on the other when the plants start getting big. Powered off means no energy consumption.
Then I was thinking I could save a few bucks by just getting 1 driver, keep all 4 COBs active but dim them down to 10% - 20%.
The purchase difference is only about $20 with 2 drivers and the extra potentiometer (dimmer), so energy consumption seems to be a better concern.
Any advantages/disadvantages to 1 driver vs 2?
I know if I have 2, if ones dies I still have some light.
At 1100mA these COBs give 9215 Lumens. So 4 would give me 36860L ~ 179L/W.
I saw someplace that I needed ~ 250W in a 6 sq ft space to produce 600 to 1000 Par.
So i figured the 4 CXM22 near the corners spaced at ~ 15" x 10" would give a well balanced, full coverage within the 600 to 1000 PAR range.
Any recommendations? Perhaps I should be thinking something total different.
These are the costs I'm looking at:
Frame ~ $75 ish
COBs plus mounts and reflectors - 4@$29.25 ea = $117
Heatsinks - $19 ea = 4@$76
Drivers - 1@$89 or 2@$50=$100
Potentiometers (dimmers) - 1@$6 or 2@$6=$12
Miscellaneous wire and stuff ~$20
Shipping ~ $25
Total ~ $408 or $425
It seems high for a DIY but I think I'm going to be getting way more usable light than I was getting from a $100 ViparSpectra VT300.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I am planning on using 4 Luminus CXM22 3500s near the 4 corners, mounted on 140x70 round pin heatsinks using 2020 aluminum T-Slot for the frame.
The COBs use 51.5 forward voltage with a max of 2.2A.
I am trying to decide if it is better to use 2 drivers (HLB-185H-C1400B) or just 1 (HLB-320H-C1400B). I believe the output achieved will be the same, but is one way more efficient as far as power consumption at the wall?
I was initially thinking that with 2 drivers I could turn 1 off (2 COBs) during the first 3 weeks or so and then turn on the other when the plants start getting big. Powered off means no energy consumption.
Then I was thinking I could save a few bucks by just getting 1 driver, keep all 4 COBs active but dim them down to 10% - 20%.
The purchase difference is only about $20 with 2 drivers and the extra potentiometer (dimmer), so energy consumption seems to be a better concern.
Any advantages/disadvantages to 1 driver vs 2?
I know if I have 2, if ones dies I still have some light.
At 1100mA these COBs give 9215 Lumens. So 4 would give me 36860L ~ 179L/W.
I saw someplace that I needed ~ 250W in a 6 sq ft space to produce 600 to 1000 Par.
So i figured the 4 CXM22 near the corners spaced at ~ 15" x 10" would give a well balanced, full coverage within the 600 to 1000 PAR range.
Any recommendations? Perhaps I should be thinking something total different.
These are the costs I'm looking at:
Frame ~ $75 ish
COBs plus mounts and reflectors - 4@$29.25 ea = $117
Heatsinks - $19 ea = 4@$76
Drivers - 1@$89 or 2@$50=$100
Potentiometers (dimmers) - 1@$6 or 2@$6=$12
Miscellaneous wire and stuff ~$20
Shipping ~ $25
Total ~ $408 or $425
It seems high for a DIY but I think I'm going to be getting way more usable light than I was getting from a $100 ViparSpectra VT300.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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